Golf Club Offers Reduced Summer Membership

In April, Chris Matthews and his fiancée, Cecile Directo, signed up for the ’s Summer Membership special.

For $39 a month, they have access to the clubhouse, pool and pavilion area, and special events. They can also play golf at an extra cost.

“It’s a good deal,” Matthews said.

The Golf and Country Club runs the promotion every summer from April 1 to Aug. 31, according to Jim Garrison, head golf professional.

“We did it as an introduction to get people out here to the golf course,” he said.

Established in 1922, the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club is a par 72, 18-hole golf course that winds into a figure 8. It was designed this way so that those watching the players could follow in automobiles.

“This course doesn’t have any parallel fairways,” Garrison said. “It’s a different layout than most courses you see nowadays.”

The original clubhouse was built behind the No. 18 green and is now part of , which uses it as a dorm.

Although the club has been around for nearly 90 years, Garrison said many people in Temple Terrace don’t even know it exists. That’s one of the reasons it offers the summer special.

Another reason is to appeal to families.

Back in the 70s and 80s, Garrison explained, dad was at the golf course on Saturday mornings. Now, he’s at the soccer field or the little league game.

“It’s a family-oriented club nowadays,” Garrison said. “We try to get the kids and the moms out here and introduce them to golf.”

The ladies association plays on Tuesday mornings, and there are special events for couples on Friday or Saturday evenings with entertainment like karaoke, a DJ, or a guitar player.

The club also has a ballroom with a collapsible wall to accommodate private parties and wedding receptions.

The summer junior golf program is open to kids ages six to 17. There are camps for those who are just starting and those who have more experience.

Summer members pay $18 per round of golf, and kids 18 and under can play for free depending on the conditions of the membership.

Matthews, who is originally from Temple Terrace but now lives in Carrollwood, said that he and Directo have not played golf yet, but they might end up taking lessons. For them, the club's other amenities make the summer membership worth the price.

“The pool is very relaxing, and the hot tub is wonderful, as well,” Matthews said. “We always make sure we spend time by the pool in particular."

The club’s pool is 5 feet deep, and there’s a full bar with cushiony chairs, ceiling fans and TVs.

“It’s a nice place to hang out in the summertime,” Garrison said. “Once the fans get going, it’s pretty nice out here.”

For more information about the Summer Membership program, call 813-988-1791, ext. 202.